Clamping means



, 1 638,230 Aug. 9,1927. v AALSAKER CLAMPING MEANS Filed Dec. 28, 1925 s sheets-sheen Zdifiwae: 5 W M% Q4/9665 QM Aug. 9,1927. 1,638,230

A. ALSAKER CLAMPING MEANS Fi led Dec. 28, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9- 7 9 71? 75 Patent d Ange 9,1927;- .i

" UNlTED STATES PATE T oFFIcE.

mm ansann, or mmors-asslenon To an mm'rA-s'rm' 00., or cnrcaoo, rumors, A conromrron ormmors' Application-fled December as, was. hpqxdwm- My invention relates to clam means for fastening anencircling mem r such as a collar, handle, joint orthe like, to a hollow rodor pipe.

The invention alsoTprovides a novel tool for perforating the wall of a pipe andfor threading the same if desired.

In the construction of operating mechanisms for such devices as electric switches, railroad switches, interlocking mechanisms, etc., it is customary to use hollow rods or pipes serving as push or pull rods or as rotary shafts. One great difficulty which "has heretofore been encountered in' making connection between sections of pipe or be .'tween 'the'pipe andan operating member, such as a lever or the like, is the difficulty of making'a positive or locked connection in the field where'the mechanism using such pipe is erected.

It is common practice to employ a pipe for the operating mechanism of outdoor electric switches. Such pipe may be drilled at the shop for pinning the co-op'erating parts together when they are assembled in the field. This isnot generally practicable because the parts joined tomake up a switch frame are commonly made upof structural steel and exact fits are not feasible. As a result. when the operating mechanism isconnected up, it is often found to' vary from the measurement determined 'upon in they shop. Itis necessary at present, therefore, to assemblethe operating parts by means of .bolted clampsfor set screws having ,no positive hold upon the pipe. If pinning is desired, it must be done by drilling in the. field, and this is often prohibitive.

Set screws as now employed for clamping pipe do not provide a sufiiciently strong hold upon'the pipe to keep the same from slipping under the stresses which may be imposed by operation of the device.

I provide, according to the present invention, a set screw which serves a dual purpose, namely. the usual action of clamping by pressure of its end face against the pipe and, in addition, it serves "thereafter to force its way through the wall of the pipe and act as a positive lockingipin. 3

Hence it is possible to set up the operating mechanism of the switch or the like and r I clamp the parts-together and hold them for trial by pressure of the set screws. Trial of the "operation of the device may then' be made, and if it is satisfactory the set screws without releasing their temporary. bold are.

screweddown and driven home forcing their way through the the parts together.

through the wallof the pipe, an second, it

' threads itself into the opening.

I'have tried' a number of difierentmethods ofoperation. in securing the perforating function, towit;' a

LA pure cutting operation.

' 2. A combined cutting and punching opl eration.

3. A' spinning operation. I

' 4. A combined spinning and cutting operation.

The aforesaid operations relate to forming. the initial perforation which may be of .a diameter equal to or smaller than'the size of the body of the set screw. If the initial pipe and positively pinning erfoi'ation perforation is of a sizesmaller than thebodyof the set screw, I enlarge the same by one or more of the above operations in addition.

The final cutting-of the thread is, of

course, mainly a cutting operation, although 1 it may be combined with spinning.

The preferred form of my set screw preferably operates with an action combining the operation ofspinning, that is, making the metal flow, and cutting, to form the perforation, The perforation, is preferably made substantially the size'of the body of the screw, that is, the diameter of the screw at the base of the threads, and then the hole is threaded bythe combined action of cut ting and spinning. 4 The secret of operation to the best advantage is found in limiting the working surface of the set screw which is inJengagement with the work, that is, the wall. of the pipe, to as small a value as is possible so asto increase the unit pressure which may be brought upon the work to cause it to yield .or flow, and also to limit'the friction which is involved in the work of forming the'perforation. I v

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with'the manner of constructing and operating a device embodying my invention, I shall describe in connection with: the accompanying drawings a specific embodiment of the same.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an operating shaft comprising two sectlons of pipe clampedtogether and having an operating handle secured to one end;

Fi 2 is a section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, showing the clamp in end elevation;

Fig. 3 is a cross section through the clamp taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clam shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevatlonal, View of the clamp shown in Fig. 1;

Figs tional views showing one form of the set screw of my invention in the different stages of perforating and threading the wall of the 1 e" P 8 is an end view of the working face of the screw;

Fi 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 7 Figs. 7 and 7 are taken longitudinally of the pipe and F g. 7 is taken transversely of the plpe;

Figs. 10, 10 and 10 are views of successive stages of forming and threading a perforation through the wall of the pipe by a modified form of my invention; Figs. 10 and 10 being taken longitudinally of the pipe and Fig. 1O transversely thereof;

Fig.'11 is an end view of the form shown in Fig. 10, showing theworking face thereof Fig. 12 isa cross section ofthe end of the screw taken on the line 1212 of Fig.

Figs. 13, 13 and 13 are cross sectional views of progressive stages of the action of another form of my invention; Figs. 13 and 13 being taken longitudinally of the pipe and Fig. 13 transversely thereof;

Fig. 14 is an end elevational viewof th set screw shown in Fig. 13

Fi 15 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 13

Figs. 16, 16 and 16 are like cross sectional views showing a modified form of set screw of my invention in different stages of perforating and threading the wall of the pipe; Figs. 16 and 16 being taken longitudinally of the pipe and Fig. 163 transversely thereof; v

Fig. 17 is an end elevational view of the set screw shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1818 of Fig. 16

Fig. 19 is an enlarged isometric view of the end of the set screw shown in Fig. 14;

. 7, 7 and 7 are fragmentary sec- Figs. 20 and 21 are a side view and an end view, respectively, of the form of set screw which I have provided with cutting faces for cutting the perforation and for cutting the threads in the wall of the pipe; and

Fig. 22 is an end view and Fig. 23 a side view of a further modified form of my invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1, I have shown two lengths of pipe 1 and 2 united by the clamp 3and having the operating handle 4 connected to the end of pipe section 2.

The clamp, 3 is made up of three arts 5, 6 and 7. 'The part 7 extends across t e ends of both sections 1 and 2 and the separate members 5and 6 are identical castings.

The clamp melnbers 5and6have the bosses 8 and 9 for receiving the set screws 10 and 11, the bosses being suitably threaded to receive the threads of the set screws. At one side the clamp members 5 and 6 contain the bolting lugs 12 and 13 adapted to be brought into alignment withthe corresponding bolting lugs '14 and 15 on the clamp member 7. The lugs 12, 13. 14 and 15 have projecting stops 17 adapted to contact when the clamp is drawn tight to limit bending of the lugs 12, 13, 14 and 15 towards each other. Standard machine bolts 18 and 19 pass through the registering lugs 12, 14 and 13, 15, re-

spectively, to fasten'the clamp sections 5 and 6 to the clamp section 7. At their opposite sides the clamp sections 5 and 6 have interengaging notches co-operating with' hooks upon the clamp section 7. The clamp section 7 has projecting fingers or hooks 20, 21 and 22 extending therefrom, as will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 2, and the clamp sections 5 and 6, which are identical, have notches at their sides, as indicated at 23 and 24, to receive the hooks or fingers 20,

21 and 22. The clamp section 7 of the clamp Y is made sufficiently rigid to provide the necessary strength for uniting the pipe connections 1 and '2 and the clamps 5 and 6 merely hold the clamp section 7 to the sections 1 and 2. Obviously, if desired the sections 5 and 6 may be formed integral or otherwise united, but I find it to be simpler in applying the clamp to have the parts 5 and 6 separate. Both the clamps 5 and 6 and the clamp section or part 7 are provided with a certain amount of clearance in the transverse "plane of the set screws and bolts, as indicated at 26 and 27 in Figs. 3 and 5. This insures contact at each side of each clamping bolt 18, 19, and the corresponding set screws 10 and 11.

The lugs 14 and 15 on the clamp section 7 are provided with stop faces as indicated at 28 in Figs. 2 and 3 for engaging the head of the corresponding bolt to prevent the same from turning. Hence, it is not necessary to hold the bolt against turning when naaaaao the corresponding nutfis drawn up to fasten the clamp and the frame member aga nst the corresponding pi e section.

' screws 10 and 11 may be threaded down in the corresponding bosses 8 and 9 until the end faces of-the set screws engage the outer surface of the pipe section for holding the same temporarily 1n place, while a trial is made of the operation of the device involving the pipe sections 1 and- 2. If the operation of the device on'trial is found to be satisfactory, the set screws 10 and 11 are then driven down by turning the same until the heads 10 and 11 are in engagement or substantially in engagement with the bosses 8 and 9, whereupon it will'be found that the corresponding set screws will have formed perforations through thepipe sections and threaded their way through said" perforations to hold the parts firmly in place.

At the right of Fig. 1, I have shown an operating lever 4 having a split clamp 30 .formed at one side of the same, this split "clamp being in the shape of an integral hub on the end of lever 4 and the splitclamp en- I circling the end of, pipe section 2.

The split clamp 30. has the two bolting lugs 31 with a suitable bolt-32 for tightening the same upon theend of the pipe sec-, tion 2. A threaded boss 33 is provided for a set screw 34, which, like the set screws :10

and 11 is first 'set against the outer surface of thepipe for-trial and, upon final adjustment'of the same, this set screw is driven home, pushing its way through the side walls of the pipe and threading the corresponding opening topin the lever 4 to the pipe section 2. a p I Referring now to the specific embodiment of the set screw 'shown in. Figs. 7, 71*, .7 8 and 9, the threaded shank 35.0f the set screw has the head 36 at its upper end, and has a working end thereof formed into a frusto' conical shape, as will be clear from Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. The tapered or" conical. surface 37. of the set'scr'ew isprovidedwith a Fig. 9.- p

The intersection of the cup 39- with the series of grooves 38in this case four in numher, which extend from the concaved or cupped end face 39 up to the threaded shank intersecting a part of the thread of the shank, as is apparent from- Fig. 7 and cone 37 forms a circumferential.circular cutting edge, which however is interrupted by the grooves 38, so thatinstead of a continuous circular iedge there are provided in the set screw under consideration four short cutting edges havingrelatively sharp cornerson both the advanced and on the trailing edge. The grooves 38 are preferably cut deep enough to provide relatively sharp corners along the conical surface 37 This set screw operates primarily upon the theory of cutting its way through the metal. In Fig. 7 I have shown the set screw as threaded in the boss 8 and having its set screw is in this position. The trial being found to be successful or adjustment being made to make it successful, the set screw is then threaded down to theboss 8 in the manner indicated in Fig. 7 the sharp cutting edges 40 formed by the meeting'of the conical surface 37 and the cup .or depression 39 and as interrupted by the grooves 38 tend v to cut the metal, at said surfaces 40, and the sharp edges 4-1 on the trailing side of the grooves 38 also tend to cut away the metal at the sides of the depression as the set screw is forced through the wall of the pipe. The cuttings or chips are free to dispose themselves in the clearance space 26. and also in-the clearance space provided by the depression which is formed by the set screw'itself forcing the wall of the pipe away from the boss, as will be apparent from Fig. 7

It is to be noted that this form of set screw, while it is effective presents arelaalong the conical surface 37 and on the cup shaped'end'face 39, with the result that the friction. and hence resistance to turning rises to a relatively high value. This may be observed by the degree to which the wall of'the'pipe 1 is'depressed in forming the opening through the same.

The setscrew shown in Fig. 7 finally cuts its way through the wall of the pipe and by the combined action of cutting and pressing or forcing its Way through, it presentsthe threaded part tively large frictional engaging surface ened, particularly as to the lower end in order to permit the aforesaid action to occur.

In Figs. 10, 10 10 11 and 12,'I have shown a set screw in which the perforating action is secured,'mainly, through a spinning operation. In this case the lower-end or working face of the set screw is provided I with a plurz'iilit-y ofradial ridges 43, in the present instance shown as formed in the shape of across (see Fig. 11). These ridges are rounded to provide smooth spinning surfaces for engaging the wall of the plpe 1. The shank 35 at the end adjacent the working face is tapered off, as by cutting away the metal to form a conical surface, as indicated at 44, the coning of the end of the set screw bein sufficient to bring the diameter of the end ace within the base of the threads so that the corners'45 formed by the ridges 43 and the conical surface 44 may be relatively sharp. These corners play an important art in the o' ration of the set screw and t eir function is to cut the metal to sever the slu 46 from the wall of the pipe. Be-

tween t e ridges 43 the metal of the end face is cut away, as indicated at 47, to insure ample clearance between the ridges. It is not necessary that the clearance be as great as I have shown, but the clearance should be suflicient to give these ridges 43 a shar definition. It is also desirable that su cient clearance be provided that if any-ch1ps or scales should be formed there would be room for the disposal ofthe same without compelling it to come under the ridges and perhaps cut or mar said ridges 43.

In 0 ration the set screw is set against the wall l of the pipe, as would be the case with the ordinary set screw, then after trialof the device, the set screw is screwed home, the operation of depressing the slug 46 being shown in Fig. 10*. The corners 45 actuately cut the metal while the ridges 43 being limited to a very small contacting area bring an exceedingly high unit pressure upon the metal of the slug 46, and since the for-' ward travel of the shank 35 must be at the rate determined by the pitch of the threads, the operation of depressing and cutting away the slug 46 is performed relatively rapidly, and the resistance to turning of the set screw drops ofl quite sharply after the slug 46 is depressed to the extent shown in Fig. 10 and shortly thereafter the slug 46 drops oil free, as indicated in Fig. 10 and the operating of threading is carried on by the taplike portion back of the end face.- The taplike' portion which is formed by the clearance grooves 48, cuts the threads in the wall of the pipeand the set screw. may then be screwed down until the head 36 strikes the boss 8.

In the samples which I have employed the thread is an automobile thread, that is, for the half inch set screws which I have employed a pitch of 20 threads to the inch. Obviously the threads may be made finer or coarser as may be desired within operating limits, but I find that a relatively fine thread. that is, having a relatively large number of threads per inch is preferable, since the resistance to turning may be decreased thereby.

In Figs. 13, 13, 13 Hand 15, I have shown a form of'set screw which is substantially identical with the form shown in Fi 10 to 12, inclusive, with the im ortant difference, however, that the end ace has the spinning ridges 49, corresponding to the ridges 43 in the previous modification, disposed at an angle such that the end face presents a concavity, withthe result that the angle formed between the conical end face 44 and the ridges 49 is an acute angle and, therefore, the cutting corners 50 formed between the conical side walls 44 and the ridges 49 are able to cut their way into the wall of the pipe 1 before the full area of contact is secured between the ridges 49 and the face of the pipe. The result is that there is a cutting into the Wall ofthe pi e and forcing down of the slug 51 around 1ts edgesin advance of pressure upon the center of the same. After the operation of cuttin or shearing the slug 51 from the Walls 0 the pipe has been well begun, then the forcing of the entire area of said slug may take place, as is shown in Fig. 13 with the result that the slug is very easily pushed out of the wall of the pipe. The tapping or threading op eration which is carried on by the interrupted threads above the working face proting threads are provided at the trailing edges of the grooves 51.

In Fig. 19 I have shown in somewhat enlarged isometric elevation the end face of the set screw shown in Fig. 13. It will be seen that the ridges 49 in this form are tapered in' and down towards the center, leaving rounded working faces or lands terminating in sharp edges 50 at the outer ends for the purpose of cutting the slug partially free-of the wall of the pipe before the forci g operation over the full area of the same is begun.

This form of set screw has proven to be the easiest to drive through the walls of the pipe of any with which I have experimented.

In Figs. 16, 16 16 '17 and 18, I have shown a further modification which is an embodiment of the same principle shown in the set screw of Fig. 13, but it isv modified to the extent that the end working face is made smaller in diameter by a greater degree of taper of the conical face 53.. The beginning of operation is substantially as shown in connection with the modification of Fig. 1-3, namely. that the sharp corners 54 formed by the intersection of the conical side walls 53 and the ridges 55 first cut into the pipe and tend to sever the slug 56 to some degree before full pressure is brought upon the slug. Since the slug 56 is of a diameter ncaaaao surface 53 witha series of vest? form ing between them the roun ed' ridges 58 for spinning outwardly the edges of the hole in t e pipe 1. The upper part of the grooves j 57 extends upinto 'the threaded part of, the.

spinning, although this is optional. 3 That is to say, the edges of the grooves57 may be rounded ofl. along their fulllength, or may be'rounded only to form rounded ridges at' 58, as may be desired. With a relatively large set screw and 'a' thin wall pipe this form of working face may be found more advantageous, since there-is a tendency to spin outwardly the edges of the hole after t e slug 56 is cut therefrom, so that threads maiylbe cut in a greater depth of metal.

Figs. 22 and 23 I have shown a modified form of set screw in which I have cut awe-lynthe central part of the end face by dri g into the same to form a rounded pocket, as indicated at 60 in Fig. 22, leaving an annular fiange'or ring which in turn is cut away at the grooves 61 to leave rounded ridges 62, ,the'outer ends of which. form in con1unction with the tapered side walls 63 sharp cutting edges for cutting a slug clear of the wall of the pipe. Grooves 64.- in line.

with the groovesfil are then extendedup into the threads of the shank 35, so as to form the tap or threading portion of the set screw. In this form no pressure is brought upon the central part of the slug and the area of contact is thereby greatly decreased.

The sharp corners formed at the ends' of the ridges 62 may be made acute by inclining the ridges 62 inwardly towards thecup 60.

The operation of this form of the device is substantially as previously indicated with the exception that the ridges 62 carry the entire endwise pressure upon the slug for forcing the same out of the wall of thepipe; Threading is thereafter'accomplished by the like portion immediately above the-end v need not be the case. I may employ the defacey p InIFigs. '20 and 21 I have shown a form of set screw which I haveemployedjin this connection in which I form the end of a twist drill upon the end of the shank of the set .screw. This formof cutting face 1s formed by giving the end of the set screw a generally tapered contour, then cutting the two grooves 65 upon opposite sldes ,of the same,"and relieving the conical face 66 in not roven as advantageous as the forms previously described, since the work of I shearing'or punching outa plug from a relatively thin walled tube is a simpler operation and less powerthan the cutting of the same into chige, by a drilling operation. chips tend to clog u the point and it is difficult to provide su cient room for their disposal without making the device too bulky and 'inconvenient.

I have tried the effect tool, but find that the difiiculty with the same is the relatively large frictionjwhich isentailed by thelal'ge contact surfaceand the difiiculty of maintaining a point which forced through the metal.

The. samples'which I have successfully employed as above described were merely'case ardened attheir lower ends and they stood up in satisfacto service to I punch and thread several ho es a piece.

' It is to be observed that 1n the preferred form of the inventionthere are a plurality pressure upon the'same with as small an area'of contact between the end face of the set screw and the slug as it is possible to as is urthermore, the

of a sharp piercing 'will stand upqwhile the same is turned and secure within practical operating limits.

While I prefer carefully rounded ridges or lands on the end and side working faces, it is to be understood that failure to round these edges carefully is not to'be considered a departure from my invention, as the forees -Nowit will be apparent that the clamp of my invention instead of serving. as a fastening for an" element to a pipe, 'may be emexplanation is illustrative and not llmitmg. 106 v ployed asa tool for perforatnig a pipe or i for perforating and threading. It w1ll at once be apparent that while .I have shown the punching and threading operations as being carried on in the same tool, the same vice asa perforating tool onlyfor general use. i I do not intend to be limited to the'details shown and-described.

I claim Y 1. A set screwfor forcing its way through the wall-of a pipecomprising a head, a threaded shank, and a working face, said.-

working face having discontinuous circum-' ferentially extending cutting edges at the' junction of the lateral surface and the end surface.

2. In combination, a yokehavin'g a thread ed hole, a screw havin a threaded shank .co-operatin withthe t reads in'said holei said screw aving a concave end face, an discontinuous arcuate cutting at the contem oraneously brin I grooves extending axis.

and

1nction of the lateral walls and concave ace.

3. In combination,'a yoke having a threaded hole, a screw having a threaded shank co-operatin with the threads in said hole, said screw aving a concave end face, and a tap-like portion above said concave end face forming a part of the threads on the shank.

4. In combination, a yoke having a thread ed hole, a screw havin a threaded shank co-operating with the t reads in said hole said screw having at its lower end peripheral cutting edges for defining a line of cleavage in the wall of a pipe and being forced through said wall by the advance of the threaded shank in sa1d yoke.

5. In combination, a yoke having a threaded hole, a screw having a threaded shank c ooperating with the threads in said hole, said screw having at its lower end peripheral cutting edges for defining a line of cleavage in the wall of a pipe, and a tap-like thread forming portion above said lower end form.- ing a art of the threaded shank.

6. l5 screw including a threaded shank and having one end provided with a plurality of slanting radial ridges tapered in and toward the center of the screw said ridges leaving substantially rounded working faces terminating in sharp edges substantially at the outer periphery of the screw shank.

7. A screw having an end face provided with a sharp arcuate cutting edge adapted to be rotated to define a line of severance of a plug in a piece of metallic material, and means for enabling the cutting ed e to be advanced axially to progressively s ear the plug from the piece of metallic material.

8. A screw having an arcuate cutting edge for defining the line of severance of a plug in a metallic strip, and means adapted upon the rotation of the screw with its cutting edge in contact with the metallic piece to suflicient pressure upon t e plug defined the cutting edge to shear the same from t e said piece along the line of severance.

9. A screw having a substantially cylindrical threaded shank and having a relatively sharp peripheral hole forming edge about its end, said edge bein discontinuous. and

lly along the threaded portion above sald peripheral edge.

10. A screw including a'threaded shank having a plurality of substantially rounded vshoulders upon its end face, said sloulders terminating in peripheral arcuate e ges.

11. The method of mounting a screw in a piece of metallic material which consists in providing the lower end face of the screw with a sharp peripheral cutting edge rotating the screw with the cutting edge 1n contact with the metallic iece to define a line of severance of a bl contemporaneously metallic piece, and thereafter threading the.

shank of the screw into the hole formed by the removal of the plug.

13. A. screw for forcing its way through the wall of a pipe comprising ahead for turning the screw and a threaded shank terminating in a working face on its end,' said working face having one or more short circumferentially extending cutting edges.

14. A screw for forcing its way through the wall of a pipe comprising a head for turning the screw and a threaded shank terminatlng in a working face on its end, said working face having one or more short circumferentially extending cutting edges to define a line of severance, and raised lands for pressing upon the part of the wall lying within the line of severance.

15. The method of forming a tapped or threaded hole in the side wall of a pipe which comprises depressing a slu from the side wall by a rotating punch wfiich is advanced the pitch distance of the threads for each rotation thereof and cutting threads in the side walls of the hole thus formed by the continued movement of the punch.

16. A screw for forcing its way throu h the wall of a pipe comprising a substantiafiy cylindrical threaded shank terminating in a working end face,-said workin end face being cuppedand having circum erentially extending cutting edges.

17. A screw for forcing its way throu h the wall of a pipe comprising a substantia ly cylindrical threaded shank terminatin in a working end face, said workin en face comprising radially extending ri s or lands for engaging the surface of the ipe wall and for punching out a slug by endwise and rotary movement.

- 18. A device of the class described for punching a hole through the side wall of a ipe comprising a cylindrical threaded shank having an end face adapted to engage the side wall of said pipe, said end face being of a diameter less than the diameter of. the shank, and having radial lands terminating in arcuate cutting edges for defining a line of severance, said end face having its lands forced against the said side wall by rotation of the shank on its threads.

19. A device of the class described comprising a cylindrical shank having a relatively fine thread, said shank terminatingin screw'on its own threada with the end face an end working and'blank rforating ace of the screwin contactwith' the member to of a diameter not substantia y less than the 'Eunch 'outbf said member a'blmk severed diameter of the shank at the. base of the ya cnttin edge of the end face and ad- 5 threads, and grooves extending radially 'vancing' sai screw axially on itsown threads across the worln'ng face and ion 'tudinally to 'threadthe shank of said screw into the from the working face across theowermost hole, a r V K threads of the shank. Y Inwitness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 20. The method of mounting a set screw my name this 22nd day of December, 1925.- 19 in a member which consistsin rotating the f ALFRED ALSAKER. 

